News Releases

SANTA ANA, Calif. - John Wayne Airport (JWA) recently completed the construction of, and has begun operating, a Central Utility Plant adjacent to the Thomas F. Riley Terminal complex. The completion of this project in December 2010 - specifically the electricity generation component - resulted in Southern California Gas Co. (SoCalGas) awarding a $100,000 incentive check to JWA as part of an initiative to encourage companies to utilize natural gas for energy needs. The cogeneration equipment at the Central Utility Plant will generate seven (7) megawatts at peak conditions.

"We applaud SoCalGas' commitment to energy efficiency," said Alan L. Murphy, Airport Director. "We very much appreciate their support of John Wayne Airport's efforts to build a facility that not only makes operational sense, but is financially and environmentally responsible."

Under SoCalGas' Commercial/Industrial Equipment Incentive Program, also known as Rule 38, customers who implement natural gas-fired electric generation equipment can take advantage of lower-cost natural gas to produce their own power and receive up to 50 percent of the funds needed to purchase the equipment. SoCalGas worked with John Wayne Airport early in the project's development to ensure the electric generation component of the Central Utility Plant qualified to receive the incentive.

"John Wayne Airport's cogeneration plant is a good example of why the Commercial/Industrial Equipment Incentive Program was created," said Gwen Marelli, director of Commercial & Industrial Services for SoCalGas. "John Wayne Airport's Cummins' engines qualify for the incentive as they meet certain minimum efficiency requirements, and a portion of their waste heat will be utilized in the plant's operation."

The Central Utility Plant uses waste heat recovery equipment associated with the natural gas engine generators to generate 1800 tons refrigeration capacity via absorption chillers which satisfies most of the Airport's needs for chilled water year-round. The Central Utility Plant is also equipped with electric operated water chillers to help satisfy the Airport's chilled water demand.